Vaaku Nichaya Muhoortham
At the marriage hall, the bride's father and the bridegroom's father face each other and solemnise the betrothal ceremony, in the presence of friends, relatives and guests.

On The Wedding Day
       Kasi Yatra
This is a very important part of the ceremony. Immediately after his student-life, the young bachelor can choose to get married (Grihasta) or live as a recluse (Sanyas). His escapist tendencies make him opt for the latter rather than the tribulations of married life. He therefore makes his way to Kasi(Varanasi), complete with slippers, umbrella, bamboo fan etc. On his way, the bride's father intervenes and points out to him the superiority of married life. He offers his daughter as a companion for life. The umbrella remains with the groom as a reminder of this advice.

Exchange of Garlands
The bride and the groom are lifted on to the shoulders of their respective uncles: and in that position the two garland each other three times. Exchanging garlands, signifies their union.

Oonjal
The couple sits on a swing (Oonjal) and rock back and forth as the ladies around sing songs in praise of the couple.

Vara Puja
The bridegroom's feet are washed with milk and dried with silk. Water and lighted lamps are taken around the swing to protect the couple from demons and ghosts. Colored grains of cooked rice are waved around and thrown away to appease the evil spirits.

Kanya daanam
The bride sits on her father's lap and is given away as a gift by him, to the bridegroom. A ring made with Kusa, the sacred grass called Darbha, is kept on the girl's head. A yoke is kept over it and the Gold Mangal Sutra (or Thali) is placed exactly at the aperture of the yoke. Water is poured through the aperture and the relevant mantras are chanted. The bride is given an auspicious ablution, and the bridegroom's sister drapes a new Koorai sari around her.
A belt made of reed-grass is tied around the bride's waist. Mantras are chanted.

The father of the bride then offers his daughter and chants the relevant mantras. The father gets a word of assurance from the bridegroom that he shall remain her companion in joy and sorrow throughout his life. This is done three times.

Kankana Dhaaranam
The bride ties a thread fastened to a piece of turmeric, around the wrist of the bridegroom. This is done to bind them by a religious vow. Only after tying the Kankanam, does the bridegroom have the right to take the bride. A little later, the bridegroom ties a Kankanam on the bride's wrist.